Tools & Tips for New Program Directors

1. Tools & Tips for New Program Directors Presented by Nancy Sutton Executive Director Faith in Action National Network fianationalnetwork@digitalconnections.com

2. Faith in Action National NetworkVision and Mission VISION The vision of the Faith in Action National Network is to have an interfaith volunteer caregiving program in every community. MISSION The mission of the Faith in Action National Network is to support members of the National Network and to create new, sustainable interfaith volunteer caregiving programs. Membership is open to any organization or individual who believes they can benefit from the Faith in Action National Network.

3. History of Faith in Action and the Faith in Action National Network • The Interfaith Volunteer Caregiving Program was established in 1984 with a pilot group of 25 sites in 16 states, Washington, DC and Guam. • In a new endeavor that began in 1993, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded a national replication phase called Faith in Action, establishing programs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. • In late 2004, recognizing that the National Program Office would be completing their work in 2006, a group of program directors and mentors began to discuss the possibility of creating a national membership organization for Faith in Action Programs that would continue the support and technical assistance that the National Program office had provided. • Officially established in 2007, the Faith in Action National Network received its 501(c) (3) IRS designation in 2008. Since that time the FIANN has sponsored regional and national conferences, distributed quarterly e-newsletters to a base of more than 700 individuals and programs, held monthly educational training calls, developed a website that is inclusive of all volunteer caregiving programs, and with funding from The SCAN Foundation developed and implemented a Start-Up Guide for Developing Interfaith Volunteer Caregiving Programs.

4. Faith in Action is about…… • Fostering caring relationships among volunteers of all faiths, members of the community and their neighbors with long-term health needs.

5. The Program ModelFaith in Action’s Five Building Blocks Long Term Health Needs 4 Home Based 5 Interfaith 1 Volunteer 2 Caregiving 3

6. InterfaithBlock 1 DIVERSITY • Engage a minimum of three different congregations in the coalition….the more the better. • Build partnerships with congregations and social service, health and civic organization • Do not discriminate on the basis of faith, age, gender, race or sexual orientation • Do not proselytize

7. “ The Golden Rule”expressed in many faith traditions • Buddhist – Hurt not others in ways you yourself would find hurtful • Christian – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. • Hindu – Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you. • Jewish – What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor • Muslim – No one of you is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself

8. VolunteerBlock 2 VOLUNTEERS ARE THE #1 RESOURCE • Use volunteers from faith congregations and the community • Support volunteers through training and recognition • Provide ongoing support and supervision • Volunteers are volunteers, do not pay a stipend

9. CaregivingBlock 3 NEIGHBORLY HELP • Focus on informal care and help with everyday activities…. • Build ongoing relationships • Provide non-professional services

10. Long-Term Health NeedsBlock 4 CHRONIC AND LIFE CHANGING • Serve people who are frail, elderly or living with disabilities • Serve people with long term health needs such as: Alzheimer’s Diabetes HIV/AIDS Cancer Arthritis Mental Illness and many more

11. Home BasedBlock 5 INDIVIDUAL HOME ENVIORNMENT • Provide care where people reside…. Private home or apartment Hospice Home Group Home • Caregiving services are not provided at a day center or clinic • Serve the community at large, not a specific institution

12. Characteristics of a SustainableFaith in Action Program • Leadership • Resources • Community Support and Awareness

13. Leadership • Board • Coalition • Executive Director

14. Coalition • A coalition member is an organization such as a business, non-profit agency, hospital and congregation, not an individual. • The member is appointed and represents a specific group • A source of volunteers and care recipients • Helps with fund raising and community awareness

15. Board of Directors • Focuses on Faith in Action Program • Oversee Program • Fund Raising and Community Awareness • Can be an advisory board working under the board of a larger organization

16. Executive Director • Full time ( 20 hours per week minimum), paid • Administrative Duties • Fund Raising and Community Awareness

17. Resources • Volunteers • Diverse Funding

18. Tips for Building Your Volunteer Pool • Provide Supervision on a Regular Basis • Require training PRIOR to actual volunteering • Utilize Team Matches • Engage coalition in volunteer recruitment and program publicity • Offer two or more caregiving services • Provide program director appropriate training tools

19. Tips for Building Your Funding Base • Grow coalition to reach at lest 16 congregation members • Engage coalition members in fund raising • Offer at least 2 or more caregiving services • Ensure board meets quarterly and participates in fund-raising efforts • Distribute newsletter at least quarterly • Build an individual donor base • Include local foundations, United Way and businesses

20. Tips for Building Community Support andAwareness • Utilize All Media Outlets • Social Networking • Website • Promotional Materials • Community Event

21. Summary • Building Blocks Interfaith Volunteer Caregiving Long term health Needs Home based • Sustainable Characteristics Leadership Resources Community Support and Awareness

22. Presenter Information Nancy Sutton, Executive Director Faith in Action National Network 1359 National Road Wheeling, WV 26003 Fianationalnetwork@digitalconnections.com